When to 'Clear Cache'...?

[Voff Uggla]

I've read in another topic, that cache should almost never be cleared now, only as a last resort if there's any problems. As compared to several years ago, it was suggested to clear cache almost everyday. So now I want to go to the bottom of this.

First of all, in the Graphics Tab -> Hardware - 'Viewer Texture Memory Buffer', the maximum is set to 512 MB. My question is, if that folder on my computer exceeds 512 MB, shouldn't I clear the cache then? I mean if I have more MB than the maximum, it must mean the texture folder is full and need to be cleaned...?!

Same question about 'Total Cache Size', there is a maximum of MB there as well. Common sense tells me that's maybe it's time to clear cache if that folder exceeds the limit of MB set in the viewer.

Common sense is not the same as being a programmer/computer tech specialist, so please can anyone explain, how the cache works and when to clear it.

[Voff Uggla]

I've read in another topic, that cache should almost never be cleared now, only as a last resort if there's any problems. As compared to several years ago, it was suggested to clear cache almost everyday. So now I want to go to the bottom of this.

First of all, in the Graphics Tab -> Hardware - 'Viewer Texture Memory Buffer', the maximum is set to 512 MB. My question is, if that folder on my computer exceeds 512 MB, shouldn't I clear the cache then? I mean if I have more MB than the maximum, it must mean the texture folder is full and need to be cleaned...?!

Same question about 'Total Cache Size', there is a maximum of MB there as well. Common sense tells me that's maybe it's time to clear cache if that folder exceeds the limit of MB set in the viewer.

Common sense is not the same as being a programmer/computer tech specialist, so please can anyone explain, how the cache works and when to clear it.

[Jean Horten]

---

Voff Uggla wrote:

I've read in another topic, that cache should almost never be cleared now, only as a last resort if there's any problems. As compared to several years ago, it was suggested to clear cache almost everyday. So now I want to go to the bottom of this.

First of all, in the Graphics Tab -> Hardware - 'Viewer Texture Memory Buffer', the maximum is set to 512 MB. My question is, if that folder on my computer exceeds 512 MB, shouldn't I clear the cache then? I mean if I have more MB than the maximum, it must mean the texture folder is full and need to be cleaned...?!

Same question about 'Total Cache Size', there is a maximum of MB there as well. Common sense tells me that's maybe it's time to clear cache if that folder exceeds the limit of MB set in the viewer.

Common sense is not the same as being a programmer/computer tech specialist, so please can anyone explain, how the cache works and when to clear it.

---

The cache is a dynamic folder where textures and other things are constantly being added when they are being downloaded by your viewer, Stuff that's not required anymore will be discarded. Clear chache only when you run into issues with misformed prims, weird looking textures or when you upgrade yor viewer.

If your texture buffer folder or cache folder  is set to a certain size, it cannot exceed this size (as it is being set to than max size in your viewer's prefs), the viewer will automatically discard unused stuff inside them.

The old ' Clear cache and relog, if it won't fix it, clear cache and relog aagain' recommendation, made especially by the supporters of one certain TPV is wrong, if you clear cache  when having a bakefail or similar things, it will make things worse instead of ressolving issues.

Clearing cache was/is no general means of fixing things.

J.

[Voff Uggla]

Thank you so much for the answer, Jean :-)

[Nalates Urriah]

The Firestorm Team just did a Q&A secession last Saturday that ran 2 hours and covered this topic. Read the summary here:  Firestorm Meeting 2013-37.

The basic take away for you is:

Clear the cache when:

• When making a Clean  install.
• When you have a texture problem you cannot solve any other way.
• When you have an inventory problem you cannot solve any other way.

Most other problems are aggravated by a cache clear.

The Firestorm Wiki has a great troubleshooting section.

 

A year or two ago the cache in the SL Viewer was redone. It is now an indexed cache. Meaning it can easily find old files that have timed out should it fill up. But, you want as large a cache as you can stand. I consider 1gb the minimum and have mine set to 4gb. But, it seldom fills up past 1gb. I think that is because of how I use SL.

If you use more than one brand of  viewer, make sure they each use there  own cache. If you use multiple SL Viewers they can share the cache provided they are all set to the same size. Otherwise the one with the smallest size keeps flushing the large cache being built by versions with higher settings.

[Voff Uggla]

Thank you so much Natales, very useful information. I think it was in one of your's post's I read about cache cleaning in the first place, and I've been wondering about it ever since. And thanks for the Firestorm Q&A url.

[Coventina Dalgleish]

The cache is now indexed meaning it is only as good as the index If something enters the index that is not accurate your index is not accurate it is never a bad idea to clear your cache as it rebuilds when you relog creating a new fresh index.

 

Indexing seems to have protected the cache much better than in the past but lets face it it is all 1's and 0's and it does not take much to flip a bit creating chaos 

 

Also never trust the game clear cache go to the folder and drag to the trash can with the back up of the "game" version of clear

 

you will never suffer anything except the time to rebuild the cache on the next login

 

you might not want to eliminate the files for muted items or persons as you will have to recreate them on log in

[Perrie Juran]

---

Coventina Dalgleish wrote:

 

 

you will never suffer anything except the time to rebuild the cache on the next login

 

 

---

And at each location you commonly frequent when you TP there.

And if it happens to be a busy location you may have to wait an extended period of time for it to re-load.

Honestly, your post here makes no sense.  Where does it answer the question, "when to clear?"

Your post almost reads like, "everytime you log in."